Cleaning out your office is tough… even when it’s your choice to leave. No matter how you are leaving (our still very fresh departure was simply time for a new chapter in our youth ministry life and on great terms but still feels so very bittersweet) it is HARD to clean out your space. I suppose that is true of any job or cause you’ve been a part of, but it sure feels so personal since our identity as people gets so caught up in what we do serving as youth workers.
My last day is April 9th at the church – we’re ending with a big celebration weekend that I’m so looking forward for – it is my chance to pass off the youth ministry into hands I trust very much, to celebrate and honor them, to place a strong memory in our youth ministry story’s now past. But cleaning out the office? That has been one of the hardest moments so far: Whew! Here’s what I mearned leaving my 2nd church ever in 20 years of youth ministry: Go When the Office is Quiet Don’t Do it Alone Leave Something Behind Say a Prayer Have you ever left a ministry before? What else did you feel? JG {{cta(‘c71c2919-c6cc-4654-8217-9354f0eee668’)}}
There’s nothing more awkward when cleaning out your office than walking past other church members or folks on staff. Choose a strategic time when the place is mostly quiet or dark. We chose Monday since our student ministry office is closed that day. It is hard enough without cringe-inducing interactions.
I had several offers from good friends who know the emotional challenge of leaving a church. While they were gracious, I decided that this was a moment for my wife and I to take on together. First off, she’s a clean freak and would leave it in much better shape than me, and secondly we’ve shared EVERYTHING in this ministry for so many years – seems fitting we would tackle this challenge together as well.
We had a special time with the whiteboard in my office. I’m really excited about to blog more about it tomorrow. Here’s a little teaser of it:
When we were finished and everything was in the car, my wife (aka the spiritual one in our family) suggested we say a prayer in my now former office. We knelt beside the couch in the room, said a prayer for the next youth worker, for the team, the volunteers and for our students. We thanked God for this chapter in our lives. Great closure on a great youth ministry run. Whew.
For cases such as lack of time or physical ability to clean, there are cleaning companies. It is quite convenient when cleaning in your home or office can be carried out by specialists. You can read about Kenmore house cleaning services if you are interested. I have been told that you can get help from experts in this field.